How Do You Solve A Quadratic Equation By Completing The Square?
Completing the square is one of the most frustrating and easily forgettable algebraic processes. The quadratic formula is complex but straightforward and easy to use once memorized, so why even bother using “completing the square” to find the solutions to a quadratic equation? Besides the obvious answer that the teacher is probably requiring it, completing the square is useful for other things in algebra such as putting a parabola in vertex form or writing the equation of an eclipse or hyperbola. Therefore, it is good to practice these steps. Make sure the leading coefficient is 1. This is the number in front of the X squared. If it isn’t 1, divide everything in the problem by the leading coefficient. For instance, if you have 3 X squared, divide everything by 3. If you get fractions, don’t panic! You will just have to take your time to work with fractions through the problem. Move the constant (the plain number with no X in it) over to the right side by adding or subtracting it from b
